NEC Corporation (NEC), Tanaka Chemical Corporation and SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO.,
LTD. have cooperated with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science
and Technology (AIST) to complete development on an advanced lithium ion battery
that uses an Iron (Fe)-substituted manganese oxide cathode.
This newly
developed lithium ion battery provides an energy density of 271Wh/kg, approximately
1.7 times that of lithium batteries with a spinel lithium manganese oxide cathode
(*1) presently in commercial use. This lithium ion battery technology
is expected to offer a range of benefits, including lower lithium battery costs,
increased driving range for electric vehicles and more light-weight and compact
stationary storage systems.
This new technology is the result of research
and development activities supported by the "Advanced Technology Research
Project for the Application and Commercial Use of Lithium-Ion Batteries"
being conducted by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development
Organization (NEDO).
Primary features of the newly developed lithium
ion battery include the following:
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1. |
Increased cathode capacity through the development of a new Fe-substituted manganese oxide |
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NEC collaborated with Tanaka Chemical Corporation and AIST to develop a new lithium-iron-nickel-manganese oxide with a layered rock-salt structure (*2). A unique synthesis method that uses low-cost lithium carbonate was established to successfully achieve production on a kilogram scale. This cathode material demonstrates a large capacity of 247mAh/g, approximately 2.2 times that of conventional spinel lithium manganese oxide presently in use (110mAh/g capacity). (*3) |
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2. |
Development of a new anode and electrolyte to be compatible with the Fe-substituted manganese oxide for improved performance |
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NEC has developed a new silicon oxide anode that uses carbon
nanohorns (*4) as a conductive agent to fully exhibit the performance
of the Fe-substituted manganese oxide cathode material. The newly
developed anode is optimized for large capacity cathodes, which
contributes to a higher energy density. |
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3. |
Verified high energy density in 8Ah- laminated batteries |
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NEC produced prototype 8Ah laminated batteries using a Fe-substituted manganese oxide cathode, silicon oxide anode and a high voltage-tolerant electrolyte. The prototype demonstrated an energy density of 271 Wh/kg, approximately 1.7 times that of lithium batteries with a spinel lithium manganese oxide cathode. |
NEC, Tanaka Chemical Corporation and SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. will
continue to drive further research and development in support of greater reliability
and safety for these newly developed batteries in preparation for commercialization
in 2020.
NEC plans to announce the results of this research and development
project at the "54th Battery Symposium in Japan" to be held in Osaka
from October 7, 2013.
***
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NEC Corporation: President Nobuhiro Endo |
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Tanaka Chemical Corporation: Representative Director, President Tamotsu Tanaka |
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SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.: President Naofumi Negishi |
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Notes |
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(*1) Based on NEC's lithium ion batteries of 159 Wh/kg in energy density for stationary storage systems and electric vehicles. |
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(*2) A layered rock-salt oxide of Li1.23Fe0.15Ni0.15Mn0.46O2(0.2LiFeO2・0.2LiNiO2・0.6Li2MnO3). |
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(*3) Lithiated capacity per 1g of the Fe-substituted manganese oxide, which was evaluated by a Li half-cell performed under 2.0-4.8V. |
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(*4) Carbon nanohorn http://www.nec.com/en/press/201301/global_20130129_02.html |
Disclaimer
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements due to changes in global economic, business, competitive market and regulatory factors.